Campaigning for free prescriptions

free prescriptions

Campaigning for free prescriptions

Unite with us for free prescriptions for everyone with CF

Living with cystic fibrosis (CF) often requires a huge burden of daily medication essential to stay well. But shockingly around 2,500 adults with CF in England do not qualify for free prescriptions. We've launched a new campaign to change this. 

Hear from James, Jade and Lucy about why free prescriptions should be available for everyone with  cystic fibrosis (CF)! 

  • Why is the Trust campaigning for free prescriptions for everyone with CF?

    CF is one of the few life-threatening, chronic conditions where people are still required to pay for prescriptions, incurring a lifelong financial burden. 

    When the exemption list was produced in 1968, children with CF weren’t expected to live to be adults – so CF wasn’t included. There are now more adults than children living with the condition. The list is outdated and unfair, with a recent survey by the Trust showing that 95% agreed that prescriptions should be free for people with CF.

    Under the current system, many people with CF will continue to incur an ongoing cost for their daily treatments through prescription charges, or will have to pay the £108 annual pre-payment certificate. One person with CF described the charges as "essentially paying to stay alive”.

    We believe it is vital that everyone with CF should have access to free prescriptions regardless of where they live in the UK. We’re campaigning hard on this issue by calling on the Government to review the prescription charge exemption list and to include everyone with cystic fibrosis, acknowledging the financial challenges faced by people with long-term conditions like CF.

  • How can I get involved?

    Join Prescription Charges Coalition and write to your MP 

    Join the Prescription Charges Coalition by writing to your MP and urging them to call on the Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock MP to urgently review the prescription charges exemption list. Click the link below to take part.

    Join the campaign

    Share stories from our community

    Hear from James, Jade and Lucy in our latest video about why free prescriptions should be available for everyone with cystic fibrosis! Join our latest prescription charges campaign action by sharing this video with your MP.

    Watch and share James, Jade and Lucy's stories

    How our community has been involved in the campaign

    Alongside members of the Prescription Charges Coalition, the Trust wrote to the Chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, Jeremy Hunt, asking for his support in the campaign to the review the prescription charge exemption list.

    We also held a day of action on 28 June 2022, with our community telling the committee how paying for your prescription charges affects you and your family. 

    Over 1,300 members of the community responded to our survey asking you to call on the Government to end prescription charges for people with long-term conditions like CF. We handed the responses in to 10 Downing Street in March 2023.

    We will post further updates on this page and on our social media channels.

  • Further support on prescription charges

    For further information and advice on prescription charges, you can visit our information page, or contact the Helpline on 0300 373 1000 / 020 3795 2184, or email [email protected].

    Get in touch

  • Timeline

    13 June 2024: The Prescription Charges Coalition writes to the party leaders, urging them to commit to reviewing the prescription charge exemptions list ahead of the general election.

    4 April 2024: The Trust responds to Government announcement on prescription charge rise from 1 May

    11 March 2024: MPs reference cystic fibrosis and call for end to prescription charges in parliamentary debate 

    6 March 2024: Media coverage highlights the Trust’s campaign for free prescriptions and marks one year since 1,300 messages from CF community were handed into 10 Downing Street.

    29 February 2024: Trust joins Prescription Charges Coalition to hand in an open letter to Health Minister, Andrea Leadsom, calling for prescription charge freeze

    22 February 2024: Cystic Fibrosis Trust Chief Executive David Ramsden writes to the Chancellor calling for free prescriptions for people with CF in the Spring Budget

    22 November 2023: Autumn Statement takes place and Trust calls for action on prescription exemption alongside other support for people with CF

    18 September 2023: Blog: It’s time to #ReviewTheList: our campaign for free prescriptions for everyone with CF

    11 September 2023: CF community shares prescriptions stories video with the Health Committee Chair on Social Media

    August 2023: Community petition adds thousands of voices to Prescription Charges campaign calls

    15 March 2023: Spring Budget- The Trust calls for free prescriptions for people with CF.

    22 March 2023: Prescription Charges Coalition releases report finding that the charge is a barrier to accessing medicine.

    6 March 2023: The Trust hands in messages from the CF community to 10 Downing Street.

    7 December 2022: The Trust publishes a prescription charges survey online and we receive over 1,300 responses from the community.

    28 June 2022: The Trust takes part in a day of action and ask the CF community to share their stories with the Health and Social Care Committee.

    24 May 2022: The Trust writes to Health and Social Care Committee Chair Jeremy Hunt alongside members of the Prescription Charges Coalition asking for his support.

    16 May 2022: The Trust issues a statement in response to the freezing of prescription charges.

    12 May 2022: The Trust calls for people with CF to be exempt from prescription charges in response to the rising cost of living.

    8 April 2022: The Trust releases prescription charges survey results and writes to members of the Health & Social Care Committee.

    2 February 2022: Paul Maynard MP leads a Westminster Hall debate on prescription charges and CF.

    View the debate

    26 January 2022: The Trust calls on the CF community to share their story with their local MP ahead of a Westminster Hall debate.

Photo of Jade

Jade's story

"Everywhere I go, people are shocked and incredulous that I have to pay for my prescriptions. Friends, strangers, even healthcare providers – everyone can see the injustice. The £100+ I have to spend on an annual pre-payment certificate feels like a kick in the teeth, like I’m paying to stay alive; a reminder that I am a burden, though I never chose to have this condition."

Read Jade's story

Campaigning hard

Join us as we shout loud and clear for better care and services for people with CF.

Get support

If you’re struggling with any aspect of cystic fibrosis, we’re here to help. Contact our Helpline for support, a listening ear or just someone to talk to. 

Support Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Your donations help us fund vital research. Donate today to help everyone with CF live a life unlimited. 

Your donation will make a difference:

Select amount
Select amount